Photo submitted by Sheila Payne NWBC Board Member.Fort Western Stores donated a Montana Silversmiths sculpture to a benefit for Lauren Johnson and her horse Blondie. Lauren and her horse were victims of a hit and run accident on August 16, 2011 in Hayden, Idaho. The sculpture is headed to a silent auction held by the Northwest Buckskin Club(NWBC) of Oregon to help raise money for Johnson's medical and veterinary expenses.
While out riding, 20-year-old Lauren and her horse Blondie were struck from behind by a pickup truck. Both Lauren and her horse were seriously injured. Lauren suffered a fractured skull and collar bone along with other injuries. The extent of injuries to her horse are still being determined. NWBC organized an auction where 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Lauren and Blondie to help cover medical and vet expenses.
Shelia Payne, NWBC board member, reached out to Fort Western Stores with Lauren and Blondie's story and asked for support. "This is a very important thing to our club, and this young girl, her horse, and her family," said Payne. NWBC will host the silent auction at their horse show, September 9th-11th at the Linn County Fairgrounds in Albany, Oregon.
One of the silent auction's participants will go home with the "Old Glory Flying Free" statue by Montana Silversmiths. The statue features a cowgirl riding her horse while flying the American Flag. Measuring nearly 13 inches tall, the sculpture is precisely cast and hand painted with careful attention to applied patinas -- bringing life-like touches to the finely detailed creation.
The Fort is glad to lend a helping hand to Lauren and Blondie, and wish the both of them a healthy and speedy recovery.
